Free event at UCF this Saturday offers seminars, open mat for the public

Ricardo Libório is on a mission to get BJJ into U.S. teaching institutions.

[Press release.]

ORLANDO, FL – February 27, 2019 — Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, commonly called BJJ, is one of the fastest growing martial arts in the U.S. and particularly in Florida where the sport has integrated model programs in eight Seminole and Orange county high schools and the University of Central Florida. Because 95% of BJJ participants practice the sport as a discipline or hobby rather than a competition, UCF’s BJJ Knights Club and the Institute for Sport and Social Justice is hosting a Resenha or “hangout” on March 2 that is open to all students, BJJ practitioners, and members of the public. Spectators who wish to learn more about the sport’s mental and physical benefits, including helping with self-defense, anxiety, depression, focus and self-confidence, are encouraged to attend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning with a seminar led by Master Ricardo Liborio, a world renowned BJJ Black Belt, coach of many top UFC fighters and head coach of the MMA Club at UCF.

Keith L. Lee, Vice-President and COO of the Institute for Sport and Social Justice, said the organization’s goal is to have “Mat and Chat” Clubs at all high schools in the area’s public school system to promote self-discipline, respect for others and to give young people a voice.
“We work with all of the major sports such as NFL and NBA, but we’re excited about Jiu Jitsu because it teaches young people how to utilize their voice and help their communities,” Lee said.

Spearheading the Resenha event and BJJ Clubs at high schools such as Edgewater and Acceleration East, Master Ricardo Liborio says similar club teams are also underway at universities throughout the state, including the University of Florida, Miami University, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University and the University of South Florida. He added that each high school or university club team must support a charitable or social cause as a way of supporting their communities.

“Every school can choose its own organization to support,” said Liborio. “For instance, the UCF BJJ Knights team supports the National Institute for the Blind. This is one of the ways that BJJ helps young people develop social skills.”

Although the model programs target teens and college students, Liborio stressed that people of all ages practice BJJ, as the techniques allow people of all ages and sizes to subdue opponents. At the Resenha on Saturday, a seminar, an open mat session and a competition will give attendees a chance to learn more about the BJJ Lifestyle and meet top UFC fighters such as Ben Saunders, Jacare Souza, Rodolfo Vieira, and Gezary Matuda. Admission for spectators is free, while anyone 18 and over interested in participating in the Open Mat session or

Competition can contact project manager Arman Badrudeen about waivers at (754) 244-0167, and fees of $30 for students and $60 for non-students.

For more information, contact Rhonda Price at (561) 371-9407 for interviews or Keith L. Lee at the Institute for Sport and Social Justice at (407) 823-4770.